If you’re an aspiring poker player, read this article and take some advice from Fedor Holz.
Mingle with Other Poker Players
Some might raise their eyebrows at the mere thought of referring to poker as a sport. On the other hand, there are those who perceive it as a mind sport. Regardless of whose side you take, one thing’s certain — in the world of poker, it’s you up against everyone else. During the course of the game, you need to reach your decisions and accept any outcome that they might cause.
Yet Holz stresses the importance of connecting with other players as well. According to him, this will sharpen your skills. So find those who you’re on the same wavelength with and spend some time with them. It wouldn’t hurt if they were a tad bit better than you in poker, as you’d improve in every possible aspect.
Don’t Be a Sore Loser
Like in any other game, it’s inevitable that you will also have winning and losing streaks in poker. In fact, even the best of players go through losses, and their attitude towards them says a lot about their character. Holz claims that everyone should strive to have a positive outlook — no one likes sore losers after all.
Furthermore, he believes that it’s essential to recognize that losing is an integral part of every sport. As a matter of fact, Holz has had his fair share of losses and has become aware of how crucial it was to improve following each one of them. Thus, you should build the right mindset and tell yourself that you will have ups and downs in this career. You won’t be the first or the last person going down this road.
Learn How to Manage Your Bankroll Effectively
Winning can encourage you to feel like you’re in seventh heaven. Nevertheless, there is a fine line between being confident and conceited. The latter comes with certain attendant risks. In other words, it might cause you to think that you should play higher stakes and that only the sky’s the limit. This way, you might spend your money before the game even begins.
Therefore, Holz advises that you should always determine your stakes. Most importantly, he stresses that it isn’t wise to wager more than you can afford. Before any game, always set your limits. Looking at Fedor Holz’s net worth is a reason enough to take his advice on this. In fact, let’s examine his winnings by years:
- 2018: $6,245,765
- 2017: $6,380,187
- 2016: $16,093,401
- 2015: $3,492,364
- 2014: $202,142
- 2013: $123,231
- 2012: $19,288
In total, Fedor has earned $32,556,377 throughout his career. An exorbitant amount that should prompt you to listen to what he has to say.
Take Good Care of Your Health
If you want to become a professional poker player, then you need to maintain excellent health. It won’t suffice if you just refuse a drink here and there — you have to be persistent. Fedor holds that both your physical and mental health are paramount in poker. With this in mind, you should take good care of yourself. Do some exercise, and don’t eat just anything — plan your meals accordingly.
Moreover, Holz says that you should feel in tune with your body. This is the crux of improving in the poker world. In addition, don’t underestimate the importance of a good night’s sleep. During a particular tournament, it might not be easy to relax and go to bed early. Sometimes, you’ll stay up late playing poker, and this might mess up your sleep cycle. If this happens, Fedor thinks you should just come to terms with the fact that this is your lifestyle and accept it is a part of the profession.
If you end up playing long after midnight, don’t set an alarm — allow yourself to sleep as much as possible. Once you feel good, you can get up, do some activity, and seize the day.
Don’t Let Your Ego Take the Best of You
It’s only natural that you get a boost to your ego while you’re dominating at the poker table. After all, you’ve put in a lot of effort to be at the top of your game. However, having an enormous ego can exert a negative influence on you. It might even prevent you from thinking rationally. And in poker, this should be avoided at all cost.
Also, Holz thinks that every professional poker player should go above and beyond to dispose of their ego. Admittedly, he states that he is yet to do so, but he has found a way to manage it. Namely, he’s devoting his effort to the game itself and blocking any other thought that might obstruct him. Make sure to follow in this footsteps.
Summary
With these five valuable pieces of advice, you might be one step closer to becoming another poker prodigy. So visit a poker room and see how they might help you better your game.
